Is this diverticulitis??

[Caroline369]

I have had ibsc for about 20 years though it has got worse lately and I eat lots of veg and fibre. I have hand camera down throat no problems found. They took a biopsy and negative for celiac.

To cut a long story short I got a transvaginal untrasound as I had been experiencing pelvic or bladder pain and (sorry for tmi) when the probe pressed against the top back wall of vagina which backs onto the colon it was painful and radiated the pain across my bladder area. It was a gynaecologist who said it was just ibs due to my constipation. But I dunno is that normal? This pain has increased gradually over a couple of years.

So does this sound like it could be diverticulitis? Should I request a colonoscopy?? Don't know where to go next?? Would you explore further?

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[Hidden]

If i were you get your GP to refer you to hospital for a colonoscopy or a CT scan . I had a CT scan and it found Diverticular Disease after months of constipation bloating and lower left abdominal pain. CT is less invasive but you will still have to clear your bowels with bowel prep but the procedure takes a few minutes.

[Caroline369 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for taking time to reply. Yes think I need to get further investigation though I only feel pain when this area is pressed internally or a dull ache when a full bladder. I'm terrified of a colonoscopy even though I know lots of people who have had it done. I just worry about them puncturi g my colon!! Yes I have anxiety also!

[Hidden in reply to Caroline369]

I'm sure your worried about a colonoscopy but you can opt for the CT version instead it's really quick u just don't eat anything for a day then take the bowel prep to completely empty your bowels you will be given an injection of contrast dye and a muscle relaxant and they will insert a tube in your backside to pump air into your bowel to inflate it you the scanner will then scan u front on then on your back then it's over you will be in and out of the hospital in half an hour I opted for this instead of the colonoscopy.

[Caroline369 in reply to Hidden]

But then my anxiety makes me worry about the radiation from the ct scan lol 🤣🤣 everything has a risk I guess . But at least I have two options. Thanks again.

[Hidden in reply to Caroline369]

Hi again decide what's best for you but the radiation is so tiny and for a very short time, I to was horrified by the thought of traditional colonoscopy was worried about my colon bring damaged etc also something probing me and embarrassment etc etc I have heard alsorts of stories so went for the easy option of CT version.

[Caroline369 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks again, until you mentioned it I didn't know about the ct colonoscopy so I think I will push for that perhaps, I will read up on it too.

[Hidden in reply to Caroline369]

all the best

[Hidden in reply to Caroline369]

its known as a virtual colonoscopy

[Hidden in reply to Caroline369]

one last thing the scan also will see any other potential diseases or abnormalities that a traditional colonoscopy can not so it has advantages

[Caroline369 in reply to Hidden]

That's good to know as I was just wondering about that as well. Thanks so much, u have been very helpful.

[Hidden in reply to Caroline369]

No problem my scan picked up a sliding hernia aswell as the diverticular disease but all my other organs were normal so the scan result will see all your internal organs etc.Hope it goes well for u

[Lulububs]

I was told ur always more likely to get diverticulitis the longer u put up with constipation... as it the colon being full and distending and getting pitted And filling with food that causes it.. if u can sort the constipation ur help the divert...

I found i was lacking magnesium as soon as i started taking a supplement i was fine...

I had a colonoscopy,i opted not to even be sedated and it was so easy, didnt hurt, just felt weird... i even watched it being done and he talked me through it...

I did not have it but what i found out later was the pain i was getting which sounds exactly like urs it like it pressing on my side but back of vagina sometimes was the constipation it was filling up colon and it was pushing on my psoas and sciatic muscles which was giving me internal pain...

I only know coz my osteo told me once when i went there and i was constipated .... i told him the pain i had and he pushed and i nearly hit him...

[Caroline369 in reply to Lulububs]

Thank you Lulububs for your very helpful reply and sorry I took so long to reply. Yes what u describe sounds very similar to me. I have been constipated on off for years but I have always taken a gentle laxative every few days to help. Now using magnesium oxide powder. I'm glad u had a good colonoscopy experience. That's good to know. If the off chance I do have diverticulitis and the answer is to up my fibre, I don't know how I can eat any more as I have porridge oats with chai and flax seeds for breakfast lentils or sald lunch and dinner is a big plate of carrots, brocolli, green beans and peas with a vegan meat substitute. I guess I won't know until they have had a look. Thanks for ur helpful reply.

Oh what did ur osteo say to do to help ur pain?? Have u taken anything that helps?

[Lulububs in reply to Caroline369]

Unfortunately there not much a osteo can do he does massage my stomach and get it all moving , relaxs all my muscles and helps to stop the groin pain by really releasing the muscles there.. can b very strange and uncomfortavle but really helps me..

I just take cosmocol. Magnesium.. and like u loadsa fibre and im generally ok.

I do massage my own stomach and colon area if u google “ constipation massage “ there is loads on you tube and they do really work.

There also a releasing yoga pose which helps with it to